Week of September 16, 2019

It has been such a fantastic week.  Being in your classrooms has been my greatest blessing!  I love watching you engage with your learners and am so pleased with the incredible learning environments you have created for our children.  Great job with the patriotic focus this week, too.  Chantel will be off campus M-TH, next week, at the ADS Board Meeting.  While I will miss being on campus,  you KNOW I will tune in to Twitter to "see" what is happening.  Please continue with the incredible job you are doing telling our Lee story on social media.   Remember...when your learners create something with their iPad,  use the #AppleDistinguishedSchools hashtag.

DID YOU KNOW:

• there is an update for ALL staff regarding ELAR updates for 2019-2020?  Please watch this video from Anita.  No data is being put in AWARE at this time.  The data sheets can be used for Tier II and Tier III learners.  Low scores are expected on your pre-assessments, so please do not panic!  
• the US Department of Education has designated Sept 17 as Constitution Day and requires that all 3-12 grade educators teach about the US Constitution on this day?  Also Texas public schools must acknowledge Celebrate Freedom Week (Sept 16-20) and conduct instruction concerning the intent, meaning and importance of the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, the abolitionist movement and Women's suffrage.  
• you have access to the Substitute Teacher Handbook that we share with our substitutes? You might choose to add this to the front of your substitute binder as well as a copy of our master schedule.  
• there is a help sheet to navigate the new CISD Education Foundation Grant Application?  The Grant Application is due on September 27.
• baby Brody arrived today?  Congratulations to Meghan and Brandon!

DOT DAY
Sunday is Dot Day.  Have you seen this collaborative class book template in Pages to go along with the Dot book?  So cool!  Thank you, Natalie, for sharing the Dot Day Handbook through email this week.


BOOK FAIR, SPECIAL FRIENDS, PASTRIES WITH PARENTS
As we think about CISDs core value of ENGAGEMENT, we have LOTS going on int the next couple of weeks to help engage our parents:

• Sign up your class for Book Fair Preview here.  Please make time to sign your class up. This is one of our two fundraisers for our Media Center and we need every bit of support!
• Parents can volunteer to help at our Fall Book Fair here.  Please encourage them!  We NEED help!
• Please invite parents to Pastries with Parents.  This is time for breakfast and shopping at the Book Fair, before school, on Wednesday.  We encourage guests to sign up here ahead of time to avoid having to wait in the long sign in line and so that we can be prepared with enough donuts.

SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY

We are super excited to have an event where our Special Friends can come to our school on September 26. In order to disrupt the least amount of learning, we are inviting guests to attend the Book Fair (during the learner's recess) and have lunch (from school or home) during your lunch time.  We kindly request that they sign up that they are attending, in advance, so that we can prepare accordingly. This form will ensure our cafeteria has enough food and seating, and so that the office can be ready we preprinted nametags for all of our guests.  Please include information about this event in your next three newsletters.  We only have 16 responses. so please help spread the word!

FAMILEE MOVIE NIGHT
We look forward to seeing all of our FamiLEEs at PTO's FamiLEE Movie Night.  This free movie will be played on a jumbo inflatable screen on our track.  Parents can bring blankets and chairs to set up for the viewing.  Our Fall Book Fair will be open from 6:00 - 7:00 and PTO will be selling concessions during the movie.  We can't wait to see you all there!

SUNSHINE SPURS
Please talk up this leadership opportunity to your learners and share with their parents if your learners are in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade.   Thank you to yellow house for taking on this campus responsibility. 


SOCIAL SPURS

The mission of the Social Spurs is to provide celebration and comfort to the wonderful staff of Lee Elementary.  Social Spurs are a staff maintained fund.  This is a voluntary financial commitment by staff members, controlled by staff members.  Dues are $30 for salaried employees and $20 for hourly employees.  You may pay cash to the front office.


RTI LETTERS:

We are required to notify parents of learners who are receiving supplemental instructions or support through RtI both in behavior and academics.  This has to be done annually.  If you have already met with Leigh Ann, and we are continuing RtI from last year, we have created the letters and they will be in your boxes.  The letters need to be scanned and uploaded into AWARE before you send them home!  Though the parents should be aware fo this assistance from last year, please also make sure that you have had a phone conversation about this with the parents before sending home.

COPPELL GIFTED ASSOCIATION

The Coppell Gifted Association is committed to supporting Coppell ISD and its educators in their efforts to meet the needs of gifted students. Please register for your FREE CGA educator membership, here, by Sept 30rd.


RED AND BLACK SUPER STARS 
Please turn in your student nominations and share this information with your parents.

PARENT COMMUNICATION

Do you keep a parent communication log?  This is a good idea for both positive and not so positive conversations.  In education: if it is not documented, it didn't happen.  Also, think about picking up the phone (instead of emailing) when you have an issue that could potentially escalate.  We have a caring staff, and typically if there are issues, it is due to miscommunication.  When a parent has your listening ear and hears your voice on the other end showing concern, most problems will be solved.  Please always inform Admin if you have a "tricky" conversation.

DYSLEXIA FLEX CREDIT
Need Flex Hours?  Want to learn more about Dyslexia?  Have learners identified with Dyslexia and need more information? Here’s the PERFECT solution! Schoology has 2 courses about dyslexia specifically for the classroom educator.  

• Name of Course:  Dyslexia Training & Resources: For the Classroom Educator Access Code: JBSVB-5D89J  1 Flex hour
• Name of Course: Texas Identification Dyslexia Academy: Dyslexia Foundation Access Code: JBSVB-5D89J  3 Flex hours

When you finish either or both courses, enter in Strive to request credit and Admin will verify your completion through Schoology and award Flex hour credit. If you have any questions, please email Melissa Massey.

WALKTHROUGH FOCUS
Our focused walkthroughs for the next weeks are in Domain 3 Dimension 1: Learning Environment.  We are looking for evidence of effective routines, transitions, and procedures that are implemented effortlessly.  We are looking for learners to be in charge of managing materials and that your room is safe, inviting, and orderly.  Think about your anchor charts?  Is there intention with where they are located? Is learner work displayed in your space?  Are your learning targets, respect agreement, and digital pledge posted?

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE
PTO has changed the date from October 4 to November 1.  Just wanted to make sure you know so you can change it on your calendars.

ESL FOR THE WEEK

What are the ELPS? English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS). Located in the Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 74.4, the ELPS apply to all grade levels and all subject areas. They are designed to outline language proficiency levels and student expectations for English Language Learners (ELLs). CLICK HERE for a quick and easy-to-follow informational video explaining the ELPS!

DATES TO REMEMBER:
September 15- International Dot Day
September 16- Progress Report Grades Due
September 17- Ed Foundation Shirt w/ Jeans
September 18- School Shirt w/ Jeans
     Fed Ex (3:35-4:35)
September 19- 4/5 Stop Collaborate & Listen (Town Center)
September 20- Send 4/5 Progress Reports Home
     CISD Employee Handbook must be signed in Talent Ed
     Allaso Ranch Parent Meeting (6:00 Cafe)
     Book Fair open after hours (6:00-7:00)
     FamiLEE Movie Night (7:00 Track)